"Environmental services directors and their employees represent an important line of defense in safeguarding the hospital environment to ensure facilities are kept clean — reducing the spread of bacteria and the increased chance of infection, potentially decreasing the need for antibiotics," said Chris Rowe, xpedx''s director of sales for facility solutions.

"Cleaning personnel should be trained on how to effectively clean and disinfect surfaces and why their work is so important," Rowe added.

"By including training on microbiology, hospital cleaning professionals can understand important aspects of the chemistry behind the disinfection process. Also, reinforcing training with ongoing recognition programs should translate into a sustained focus on this critical element of job performance throughout the year," Rowe concluded.